Body of News Release
The following is a joint release between the City of San Rafael and the County of Marin.
San Rafael, CA – The City of San Rafael, in partnership with the County of Marin, has announced plans to open a time-limited, new interim shelter site at 350 Merrydale Road. The program will create 65 individual cabins, serving up to 70 unique individuals over the life of the program.
The site, just across Highway 101 from the Marin County Civic Center, will have shared facilities and on-site support services designed to provide dignity, safety, and stability primarily for individuals currently participating in the Mahon Sanctioned Camping Area, and those residing along Anderson Drive in downtown San Rafael. The initiative embodies compassion in action, providing safe shelter and essential support while meeting people where they are through a trauma-informed approach.
Under the partnership, the County will fund the acquisition of the property and site set-up costs up to $8 million in exchange for the City agreeing to entitle the property for a minimum of 80 units of affordable housing by June 30, 2028. The funding, along with the Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF)-3 grant both entities received in 2024 from the State of California, and general fund contributions from the City and County, will support interim shelter operations through June 30, 2027. Additional funding will be needed to support operations. The interim shelter site must close by no later than June 30, 2029.
“This is a focused, time-limited solution that helps our most vulnerable neighbors now and sets the stage for permanent affordable housing on this site,” said San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin. “Residents will have a secure, private room and access to services that will help them move forward on their path to housing.”
“This partnership represents the City of San Rafael and the County of Marin working together to provide safe interim cabins, create future affordable homes, and deliver ongoing support for individuals currently experiencing homelessness,” said Mary Sackett, Board President for the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Sackett represents District 1, which includes the Merrydale property.
“We are thrilled that Encampment Resolution Funding grants are supporting collaborative, regional efforts that advance the Newsom Administration’s vision to end unsheltered homelessness in California,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “San Rafael and Marin County are laying the foundation of housing stability that connects struggling Californians to services and the opportunity to thrive, ultimately building a more equitable community.”
The interim shelter program will combine private cabins with shared facilities and comprehensive on-site support that remove barriers and help residents transition more quickly into permanent housing. Key features include:
- 65 private, lockable cabins with insulation, electricity, heating, and personal storage.
- Shared bathrooms, showers, laundry, and a community kitchen.
- 24/7 security, staffing with controlled entry, perimeter fencing, and lighting.
- Case management, housing navigation, benefits enrollment, and basic medical outreach.
- Behavioral health and recovery connections through County and nonprofit partners.
- A designated pet area and access to basic veterinary support through local partners.
There will be regular police and fire department safety reviews and a clear code of conduct required for all residents. The program includes 24/7 professional security, a single monitored entry, and close coordination with the San Rafael Police Department and City Specialized Assistance for Everyone (SAFE) team. Operators will maintain daily cleaning and waste collection. The City and County will publish regular updates to the community. The City will also include a “Good Neighbor Policy” – a set of guidelines and practices, developed in coordination with the County Department of Health and Human Services, to ensure positive relationships between the interim shelter and the surrounding community.
Once established, the City with the support of nonprofit service providers will transition participants who are interested in moving from the Mahon Creek Sanctioned Camping Area to the 350 Merrydale site. Following that, the Mahon Creek Sanctioned Camping Area will close and the area will reopen for public access. The City plans to make amendments to its camping ordinance to further prohibit camping in the City, as new alternative shelter is being provided to unhoused individuals.
A designated staff liaison will serve as a direct point of contact to support communication, problem-solving, and collaboration with the surrounding community.
The City and County held a virtual community meeting October 28 to present plans for the site, and to address questions and concerns from businesses and community members.
The municipal partnership is already showing results. At the Mahon Creek Path Sanctioned Camping Area, eight individuals have been placed in permanent housing while the remainder of residents are actively working toward housing solutions; 54% have increased income through employment or public benefits, and 82% are enrolled in programs such as Medi-Cal or CalFresh. Every resident on site has access to a County-provided case management support to assist them on their pathway to permanent housing.
The City has committed to entitling the site for affordable housing by June 30, 2028.